Civil & Environmental Engineering Resources

Not all technical standards are copyrighted. 

General Rule:

• While many technical standards can be copyrighted, it's not automatic and depends on various factors.

Factors Affecting Copyrightability:

• Originality: The standard must exhibit a minimal degree of creativity and originality in its content and presentation. Simply listing facts or procedures might not meet this threshold.
• Authorship: The standard needs to be created by an identifiable author or entity who can claim copyright ownership.
• Formality: Copyright protection typically applies to fixed expressions of the standard, such as written documents or computer code.

Exceptions and Considerations:

• Government-created standards: Standards developed by government agencies often fall outside copyright protection as they might be considered public domain works.
• Open standards: Many open standards organizations choose not to claim copyright on their standards, promoting widespread adoption and collaboration.

It's important to remember that copyright protection only applies to the specific expression of the standard, not the underlying ideas or functionalities it describes. Implementing a standard in a product or service generally doesn't infringe copyright, as long as you don't directly copy the copyrighted text or layout.

Therefore, it's crucial to investigate the specific status of each technical standard to determine whether copyright applies and what limitations or permissions might exist. Consulting with legal counsel familiar with intellectual property law is always recommended for navigating complex copyright issues related to technical standards. For general questions or where to find more help on copyright please visit the Copyright Research Guide or contact your Subject Librarian. 

Sharing of Standards

In most cases, text from standards is searchable and can be copied and pasted into other documents, subject to copyright restrictions. The availability of this feature, however, depends on how the publisher produced and released the publication.

Whether it's okay to share copies of technical standards depends on several factors:

Copyright Status:

• Copyrighted Standards: Sharing copies of copyrighted technical standards without the copyright holder's permission is generally considered infringement. This could potentially lead to legal consequences.
• Public Domain Standards: Sharing copies of standards in the public domain is generally permissible. These standards are not protected by copyright and can be freely distributed.
• Uncertain Copyright: If the copyright status of a standard is unclear, it's advisable to err on the side of caution and seek permission before sharing copies.

Additionally:

• License terms: Even if a standard is not explicitly copyrighted, it might be subject to licensing terms that restrict how it can be shared. Carefully review any accompanying documentation or licenses to understand the limitations.
• Fair Use: In some jurisdictions, the concept of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material for specific purposes such as criticism, commentary, or education. However, fair use is a complex legal concept with its own criteria, and seeking legal advice is recommended if you're unsure whether fair use applies.

Recommendations:

• Always check the copyright status: Before sharing any technical standard, it's crucial to verify its copyright status. This can often be found on the standard's official website or documentation.
• Respect licensing terms: If the standard has any licensing terms, adhere to them when sharing copies.
• Seek legal advice: If you're unsure about the copyright status or have concerns, it's always best to consult with a legal professional specializing in intellectual property law.

Remember, sharing copyrighted material without permission can have serious legal repercussions. It's important to exercise caution and ensure you have the proper permissions before distributing copies of technical standards.

Secure PDF

A Secure PDF is a file containing features that prevent reproduction or distribution to other users, in the same way that users are prohibited from making copies of printed documents. This security features simply enforces existing copyright laws.

Note: To view Standards made available from Techsteet platform Adobe Acrobat Reader and the FileOpen plug-in are required to view Secure PDFs.

When referencing standards in your work, it's crucial to confirm the appropriate citation style. While there isn't a single, universal format for standards, the preferred style often depends on your specific field, the journal you're targeting, or even your professor's requirements. To ensure proper citation, consult directly with your professor for their preferred citation style. Don't hesitate to utilize the library resources – both Citation Styles Research Guide and the expertise of librarians themselves. Subject Librarians are well-equipped to assist you in navigating various citation styles and finding the most fitting approach for incorporating technical standards into your research.

• Citing ASTSM Standards
  Base Designation / Edition -Version / Title / Publisher/ Publisher City / Publisher State, Province / Publication Year/ DOI / Publisher Website

  Examples:

  Referencing Standards with Year of Approval:
  ASTM Standard C33, 2003, "Specification for Concrete Aggregates," ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2003, DOI: 10.1520/C0033-03, www.astm.org.

  Referencing Standards (multiple revisions in same year):
  ASTM Standard C33, 2003a, "Specification for Concrete Aggregates," ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2003, DOI: 10.1520/C0033-03A, www.astm.org.

  Referencing Standards (reapproved):
  ASTM Standard C33, 2003 (2006), "Specification for Concrete Aggregates," ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2006, DOI: 10.1520/C0033-03R06, www.astm.org.

  Referencing Standards (editorial change):
  ASTM Standard C33, 2003e1, "Specification for Concrete Aggregates," ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2003, DOI: 10.1520/C0033-03E01, www.astm.org.

• Citing in APA Style
  Cite SD in American Psychological Association style
• IEEE Citation Style
  Citing in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) style
• Citation Guide
  by  Abby Kasowitz-Scheer